Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love a good trial trope! Instantly intrigued at the world building in this, and some of the mystery bits dotted throughout. Could not put this down! Read half in a couple hours!
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this book. It was like a mash up of all the best fantasy stories without being a complete copycat. Think Hunger Games X Throne of Glass with the tributes and deadly trials. Loved the plot twist at the end with a semi hopeful cliffhanger!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this book so much!! I was so invested in the story from the very first chapter. It was impossible to put down (metaphorically - I listened to the audiobook, which was fantastic). I finished this book in just over 24 hours!
This was a great fantasy romance read, with a fast moving plot and great worldbuilding. I LOVE the games and trials trope and I ate it up - it was executed really well. What had me the most excited is that there seemed to be so much foreshadowing-type info drops! I had to immediately jump into book 2 to see what was going to happen next.
I loved Lor and her story. As a 24-year-old human who has been in a prison for 12 years alongside her siblings, you really start to see how this affected her. She fierce and brave, but also realistic and she makes for a great FMC.
There are so many mysteries surrounding the characters in this book that MUST be foreshadowing for future books, and I can't wait to see where it goes. I'm so invested in the plot and politics of this series and whilst I think there was probably opportunities to build on this more, I am sure it's coming in future books! I'm going to finish up this review with a beautifully written quote that I can't get out of my mind:
'When you have nothing, you can’t build anything. When your days are spent wondering where your next meal is coming from or how you’re going to survive the night without having your throat slit, you don’t have the time or the energy or the motivation to make your life better. You’re too busy simply surviving.'
This was a great fantasy romance read, with a fast moving plot and great worldbuilding. I LOVE the games and trials trope and I ate it up - it was executed really well. What had me the most excited is that there seemed to be so much foreshadowing-type info drops! I had to immediately jump into book 2 to see what was going to happen next.
I loved Lor and her story. As a 24-year-old human who has been in a prison for 12 years alongside her siblings, you really start to see how this affected her. She fierce and brave, but also realistic and she makes for a great FMC.
There are so many mysteries surrounding the characters in this book that MUST be foreshadowing for future books, and I can't wait to see where it goes. I'm so invested in the plot and politics of this series and whilst I think there was probably opportunities to build on this more, I am sure it's coming in future books! I'm going to finish up this review with a beautifully written quote that I can't get out of my mind:
'When you have nothing, you can’t build anything. When your days are spent wondering where your next meal is coming from or how you’re going to survive the night without having your throat slit, you don’t have the time or the energy or the motivation to make your life better. You’re too busy simply surviving.'
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes